PERNEM: Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar on Tuesday allegedly mishandled a video journalist from Pernem while he had gone to cover a function where the MLA was the chief guest.
The incident occurred when video journalist Makbul Malgimani had gone to cover foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of a protection wall at Sarvajanik Ganesh immersion site Bhalkhazan, Korgao. The programme was scheduled at 10 am. However, Arlekar arrived at the venue at 11.45 am. Since the media had reached the spot at scheduled time, Makbul sought to know from the MLA, the reason for delay and for making people to wait for long.
Arlekar responded rudely and allegedly started abusing the journalist verbally. On seeing journalist recording the incident, the MLA got annoyed and snatched his mobile phone from him and threw it away causing damage. The MLA then told Makbul to leave the venue and that he was not dependent on his news coverage.
After the incident went viral on social media and with subsequent widespread protests from various quarters, Arlekar said that such incident will not be repeated.
He said, “I have no intention to harm mediapersons. I never pressurised them, I consider journalists in Pernem as my brothers,” he said and refrained to tender apology.
